Kenwood Eleven II Review - Vintage Stereo Receiver

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Күн бұрын

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@Slonge92 Жыл бұрын

I bought a Model 11 through the AAFES Catalog when I was stationed in Turkey in 1977. We weren’t allowed to import electronics because of the 300% tariff in Turkey. I ordered the JDM Model 11 with black front panel and timer, and had it shipped directly home along with Sansui speakers, Marantz turntable, and a TEAC reel to reel. Only the Teac reel to reel made it. I received a large check from the USPS which covered the cost of the missing equipment. I went to Pacific Stereo in Torrance and bought JBL L100s, Sansui AU 717 and TU 717, and a Marantz 6300 turntable. I never got my JDM Model 11 with black front panel and timer. She’s the one that got away. I sincerely hope that the USPS employee who stole all of my stereo equipment in 1977 (from a USAF veteran) enjoyed it and still has it today. Thanks for the great videos!

@AudioElectronicsChicago Жыл бұрын

One of the best sounding and looking receiver

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

They are under-appreciated. :-)

@Edgy01 13 күн бұрын

I bought mine new (Eleven II) at the US European Command (Vaihingen Stuttgart) in 1977. Still have even the outer box! It was always a quality build, but mine, too, suffered from the dreaded plastic timer piece failure. I wired around the timer but then when a guy started 3D printing a replacement piece I returned it to normal operation decades later. Apparently they are still in demand on the used market. Mine is quite pristine. We had significant choices at the base sound shops and the Kenwood was very popular in 1977.

@terryhetrick1407 Жыл бұрын

Purchased mine in 76 from AAFES IN GERMANY still have it. Timer did break a long time ago, but they make new ones from 3D printers. Easy fix. Access from the bottom. Also easy access to the pots to clean while your at it.

@ranrae 7 ай бұрын

I have an Eleven 111 and I love it. I paid 900.00 for it about 8 months ago and it looks like it was just unpacked. Not a single scratch or dent and I like the fact that it has laser etched lettering that will never rub off and a mic jack. I am running Cerwin Vega E712's,Polk Monitor series 7's and Kenwood KL-888'ds through it. I can't turn it past 3 or 4 on the volume lol. BTW, I also have a Toshiba SA-850 that sounds VERY good. Toshiba is underrated too. Picked it up for $120.00. I love your video's.

@Sleepy_Js_Garage Жыл бұрын

I'm a millennial ARMY Brat who grew up playing with my dad's Model 11 he ordered while stationed in Germany ( don't press that 400hz button with the volume cranked! lol ) I don't know which version it is (he still has it), but I do recall that the Dolby NR and Mode A and B on the one we have is 3 switches and not a rotary dial like the one shown here. I preferred it to newer Yamaha and Technics amps he had because the bass was sooooo much stronger than any other amp I played around with. Still brings back good memories. Thanks for the video.

@tomlindalewis2146 Жыл бұрын

Had a Eleven II for a couple of years. Replaced all the bulbs and refinished the wooden case. It was big and beautiful. Sold it and a perfect pair of Original Large Advents to a very nice man building a system he wanted in his youth. I miss the set, but it was a pleasure meeting the man that bought them.

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Lots of great ways to enjoy vintage gear, meeting new people is one of the many benefits.

@dnate697 2 ай бұрын

I had both the 11 (Silver) and a Super 11 (Black) Kenwoods sold them both! They sounded good until you pushed them. When I bought a Pioneer SX-9, I never looked back. Also My Pioneer PL-400 came with a Moving Coil Cartridge and I replaced with a MM. Once I went to the SX-9, slightly lower volume but a lot better Fidelity on the MC. I recently bought another SX-9 and still love it!

@mikecampbell5856 Жыл бұрын

I bought a Kenwood KA-7100 in1978 when my ship was in Japan. Outstanding specs and sound. Only 60 watts per channel but a frequency response of DC - 100khz. A signal to noise ratio of 120db and .02% THD. The thing was awesome. I love your receiver! I'm not sure if I mentioned this on a previous video, but my son bought me a Sabaj A10h headphone amp with RCA inputs and outputs and I am using it as a remote volume control on a Harman Kardon PM 650. Only 75 bucks.

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Nice way to integrate new with the old!

@jc9054 2 ай бұрын

I just picked up this same model yesterday in NM condition and connecting it to a pair of NLA Advents..can't wait to hear how it sounds..also I believe there's another model of this ..the Eleven G which is 120 wpc and Eleven GX also 120wpc then there was the super eleven black face 125wpc and the 11000 GX..I believe the msrp was around $300 for this model..thanks for this video..!

@stereoniche 2 ай бұрын

Yes indeed, those G models were a little bigger still. I've yet to run across one, maybe someday. :-)

@jc9054 2 ай бұрын

Not reall thrilled that the timer knob ultimately controls the power as mine has alot of play and I'm just waiting for the time I turn it and it fails .I'm told there may be a way to bypass it and am looking into that.

@stereoniche 2 ай бұрын

@@jc9054 Possibly. I have no need for the timer and would do same, but mine still works. I was reviewing the issue again and it seems to be the plastic coupler that fails. This basic splicer seems to work. Thomas&Betts splicer/reducer # ASR1114-B2

@keithcampbell6498 5 ай бұрын

I have the eleven III and love it. I had led’s installed when it was serviced. It works perfectly and I also have the matching Kenwood turntable and matching Kenwood speakers. Paid 500.00 for all three at a local pawnshop.

@rodgerburkley8939 Жыл бұрын

I have a Model Eleven II since new in mid 70s. Purchased in the BX at Anderson AFB Guam whike on a TDY (KC-135). I love it for all the reasons you cite and more. Lots of features and great value. Sound is, of course, magnificent and I find it more than holds its own against Sansui 8080s and 9090s, which I have both in nonDB and DB versions each. Also holds up well against a Pioneer SX 1250 (also in collection). I don’t know all the technical innards stuff, but this baby is exceptionally clear, accurate with low distortion and high response. I like it so much I got a IIi as well. These elevens were chiefly distributed/targeted for overseas GI market in the 70s. I paid @ $400 for mine at AAFEX BX. I believe the I, II and Iii models came out sequentially/chronologically over 4 or 5 years. There was no III version made or available to buy when I got my II in 76. Wattage was the main and only disambiguated. Live your channel!

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rodger for chiming in! So around $400 MSRP, for comparison, an 85w Pioneer SX-950 was $650, so the Kenwood really would have been a lot of bang for the buck with the Pioneer being more than 50% more.

@patrickgeorge141 Жыл бұрын

I own a few Kenwoods. Model 11, Model 11iii, KR 4070 and KA 8300 and love them all. Model 11 is it's own then there is a Model 11 i, ii and iii and are 60, 80 and 120 watts respectively. Timer problem is solved these days. A piece is being made and sold on eBay for the timer. They also made a Model 11 G and a GX. Thanks for the video.

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Good to know someone is making replacement parts. Do you have the name of the seller? I did not see any listed currently. The other models, like the G/GX are even more colorful and cool. I have seen them, but not yet owned one.

@joek0133 Жыл бұрын

Great video cover and description of the feature's of this unit! I am retired military and have always went out of my way to find these units ( I currently have three , all model II's ) I love them, great sound really good looking and a great value for the money! you cant go wrong with the options and sound of these units. yep timer is a problem and sooner or later you will need to re-cap them but all and all great unit ! if you get the opportunity to purchase one I recommend it, Good luck and great listening......ENJOY !

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

They are great units, I am on the lookout for other models. Thanks for watching and commenting!

@barrylafratta5720 Жыл бұрын

i had the super 11 gx with eq on the front . powerfull unit loved it .

@pernilsson2512 6 ай бұрын

Gotta love the Mitsubishi LT-30 One of the best Linear Tracking Turntables

@dtracy03ss Жыл бұрын

Mine was the 11 model 3 which was 120 WPC! The 3 also had a 5 Band Equalizer built in , I am having one Refurbed right now because I owned one New. Before that a Marantz 2265 and then a Pioneer SX1280 which I now own Great Refurbed examples of Both. All were Expensive! Then and Now

@michaellarcom 4 ай бұрын

I have a Kenwood model Nine G and I'm wondering if it's bridgeable. It has A/B/C speaker selector. I have two sets of Sherwin Vega LS12 there are eight ohm speakers and I'm wondering if I parallel to 8 ohm speakers to four ohms if I can use A left+ and right - for a 4 ohm load bridge the A speaker selector and B selector for the other set of speakers in the same fashion to get more power to the sets of speakers.. I was born in 1970 I required this amplifier around my 13th year of life and I've had it pretty much all my life I'm 53 years old now. I mean a few balls have blown out I've had to have the transformer repaired in a couple outputs caps and resistors one channel seems to be a little more stronger than the other I think that's because of the repair that was done the repair seem to make it a little cleaner on that channel versus the older electronic components. I'm not too sure how many watts per channel does amplifier is we're pretty much what they consider monster knob receivers. But I just take it that the model 11 model 9 G they're all pretty much the same receiver just different equalizers on them or base trouble mid-range knobs pretty much all the same functions

@williamkellogg9118 6 ай бұрын

I don't care for Pioneer or any other brand, at 64 years old have had them all and always thought Kenwood sounded the best. Thats my opinion. I listen to a VR-716 Surround sound system from 2003 and it can kick out the sound.

@russellcardwell6502 Жыл бұрын

Kenwood was a great choice when your in high school in the early seventy’s, they didn’t over build but they made it possible for me to put together a quality audio system, not many of us could afford pioneer, Sansui , I always thought Kenwood was just as good as other higher priced receivers, Kenwood didn’t over build they built there receivers to do what was necessary, nothing more or less , to this day I still own two Kenwood receivers and have them completely restored, kr8050 and Kr9600, I have a pioneer sx1250 that has also been completely restored sitting next to the Kr9600 , I was surprised at the fact that the SX1250 didn’t change my mind about the Kr9600 It stands on its own and will never be a2nd choice compared to the pioneer when it comes to listening to music, on another note the name Kenwood came from a couple sources Kenmore appliances which were considered high quality, wood because it’s a durable material some speculate Hollywood haha

@LA-db9xj Жыл бұрын

Wow! I can't believe your comments about Kenwood. As if they weren't quality gear. Back in the 70s when I was in the military and everybody was buying gear like chocolate cookies. There was as much Kenwood being bought as anything else. Behind Marantz they were some of the best looking gear around. They also had some of the best tuners in them as well. Overall, they were hardly known to as some "budget" line of equipment. I've owned a ton of different gear over time and Kenwood has always performed as well or better as the other well known brands depending on the model. I usually enjoy your videos, but this one leaves me shaking my head! 🤔

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Maybe "more bang for the buck" sounds better? 🙂 I LOVE Kenwood gear, so no slight was intended, but they were a bit of an underdog within the U.S. market, so it makes sense they were trying to add more value to their offerings.

@guddergo7116 Жыл бұрын

Before kenwood made big beautiful receivers with not much inside. Very light build designs in those super eleven, 10,000 gx etc

@marioivanov6205 9 ай бұрын

Hello congratulations on the video I have watched it many times now I would like to ask you as a professional which of the old stereo receivers has the warmest softest sound Thanks in advance!!!

@stereoniche 9 ай бұрын

Hi Mario! Thanks for watching. Your question is very tough because there are so many different models. Instead of picking a specific model, I will say that, in general, I find Sansui and McIntosh solid state models to be fairly warm/soft. Just about any vintage tube receivers/amps are very warm, so you are safe there. You asked your question on the Kenwood video. I only have a couple of Kenwood models, so I really cannot state how I think they sound compared to other brands, yet.

@marioivanov6205 9 ай бұрын

@@stereoniche thanks 🙏

@thomasandersen6014 Жыл бұрын

I have the Kenwood Super Eleven which is 125 watts, and there is also another one called Super Nine , which is 90 watts. Their branded differently. But the Super eleven is a little bigger that the one you have! :)

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info! I have seen the Super Eleven, VERY cool receiver.

@brianberes 3 ай бұрын

Ive owned my Model 11 ii foe about 6 years and a great sounding and reliable unit. It was completely gone through before i bought it and the guy i bouhht it from was a Marantz dude so he wasnt interested in keeping it. His lost my gain!

@michaellarcom 4 ай бұрын

I wonder if the model 1100 is better than the model Nine G.. has a switch for the power meters 3 watt to 100 w as a power level switch FM muting switch subsonic filter high select filter a loudness button a mono button for 4000 HZ cal button a microphone input auxiliary button photo 1 and 2 FM AM button seems to look like it's got more buttons and switches than 1100. I know this thing is a beast it has to weigh at least 90 lb my receiver seems to smell like cherry from the wood and I seen the other version that was sold in the states those are gray faced GX or the KR models that that represent models nine G 1100 1/2/3 super 11 the silver faces can you make another version what's a gray faceplate. Do you recall this also and maybe somebody can give us a back story between the import version and the models that were sold in the states?

@stereoniche 4 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, I do not have the full model history. Would love to have it so I can review all of the great Kenny models during those years, but they were mostly very feature rich.

@scottmelneal Жыл бұрын

I recently purchased a Kenwood 11000GX. I’d like to find a speaker wire that has a spade connector that would fit the rear terminals. I’ve purchased 2 sets from Amazon but the spade was to wide this not able to slip behind the posts. Any ideas?

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

Those connectors are best for bare wire, however, the spades made to connect to old tube amps are long, narrow and straight. Not sure all are the same length/width, but the ones I have on hand do work very nicely. The gap is 5.7mm and the full width is 7.6 mm. The prong length is about 9 mm.

@michaellarcom 4 ай бұрын

Is that GX a silver face or a smoked grey looking face? For some reason I'm looking around and research the GX is the American version It's kind of gray but smokes silver and then you got the 1000g what's a silver face play which is an import version.. they even have two versions of the kr9600 are silver faceplate play in a gray..

@jb.2986 Жыл бұрын

Never been a Kenwood fan but interesting fact about the name. What was their connection with Radio Shack? We’re they sold along side Realistic?

@stereoniche Жыл бұрын

The information I found seemed to suggest that they were a private label manufacturer, not selling the Kenwood branded gear in Radio Shack.

@michaellarcom 4 ай бұрын

In the 70s radio shack in Toledo Ohio sold Kenwood marantz sansui techniques pioneer alongside the radio shack brand. I know this because my mother bf and a friend broke into radio shack on Manhattan and had a Bunch of monster knob receivers and speakers . That's when I first seen such big stereos reel to reel record players equalizers amplifiers I mean they have pretty much clean house had like a U-Haul truck full of stuff. Marantz speakers sansui speakers Sherwood speakers Kenwood speakers..

@spyder8986 7 ай бұрын

I paid 399.99 for mine and they charged me 12.12$ tax im pretty sure it was like 412$ i still have the original paperwork for ot ill dig it out and repost but if i remember it was around 412$ .

@michaellarcom 4 ай бұрын

From over the years I've had done some reading up on this Kenwood they have well I think it's called Kenwood model 9000 GX which is like a smoked gray faceplate which is the American version versus the silver face which I think they say came from Germany correct me if I'm wrong the models with a GX or what does smoked gray face are American versions all the silver face Kenwood's were from another country I think they said Germany I could be wrong how many hours was saying something about the super 9 is only 90 Watts my power meters go up to 150 watts per channel and her 6 channel?